71 RT resurrection

[gdrill]

Lol, ya I'm sure their concern would have been about equal to mine on that! I got the driver quarter sanded and primed. I will be able to use just a skin here if it comes to that. There is very slight damage just near the front. The rest is beauty.

 

[gdrill]

And the driver side. There is some repair at the back. I will tackle when I remove the tail light panel for the trunk floor install.

 

[DetMatt1]

Coming along very nicely. You're not helping me not regret selling my '70 project. I miss doing rust repair like that and that one had a lot of them.

 

[gdrill]

Thank you Matt. I'm sorry for any sadness as a result of not having a bunch of steel that needs replaced! But I agree I am actually enjoying this a lot. In my eyes, the car has improved drastically from what I brought home. And that leaves me with great satisfaction.

 

[gdrill]

I sanded the passenger fender down. It was nice that the previous paint job was done badly. I was able to scrape all the orange off with a razor blade, at least the second paint job anyway. I'm not sure if I can save it or if it's worth it. I know they repop them, but I am trying to save everything I can. The back end I can repair for sure but the front will be way more work. If I had the front 12" of another fender I could just cut the skin and replace it that way. Too bad, it's nice and straight otherwise.

 

[gdrill]

Well I figured I would dig in to it and see how bad it is. There was a whole pile of crap tucked in there. I had to drill out the headlight mounting bracket. It will need some patching too. But I figure I'm going to give it a try. If I can make all my patching look like this first one I did I will be very happy.

 

[js29]

might as well give it A try, what have you got to loose!

 

[gdrill]

Patch by patch it is coming along. I figured it was easier to do in separate pieces vs trying to form the whole thing at once. I will also have to cut out the brazed in repair from long ago. I'm no pro so there will be some putty to cover my welds, but I am OK with that. I know at shop rates it would be far more efficient to just buy a new fender, but at my rate?? it's a great deal!!

 

[gdrill]

That's it for the front. Each one of my patches I did along a body line. This really helped to keep it very close to the original shape. It is rust free and only going to require a very small amount of putty to finish. I am happy because I was able to save the fender. The back will require some patching as well because it has some brazing in it too.

 

[plumgtx]

nice job!!!

 

[gdrill]

Thank you very much. I am trying! I cut out the back part and fabbed up a patch. It was way easier than the front was!

 

[challenger6pak]

Looking great! Back before restoration parts were available, we would have to take three cars to make one. We would build them just like you are doing.

 

[gdrill]

Thank you challenger6pak. Back then you guys were far more talented though. To begin with, you probably had to use an Oxy/acetaline torch for welding! This is how I formed my body line and the curves.

 

[challenger6pak]

Yes. Guys that didn't have much cash used coat hangers for welding wire. Interior floors were covered with a thin coat of roofing tar to keep rust away. If you couldn't weld it with a coat hanger you used Scotchbrite soaked in fiberglass and filled the holes before the glass hardened. It worked best if the glass was mixed hot. Once the glass stopped smoking you would put a coat of bondo over it. Great thread. The car will be nice when done. I'm glad you are saving it. 71's seem too overlooked.

 

[moparlee]

That is fantastic metal work you are doing there. Way to go on saving that fender. You have the right approach on attacking one piece/section at a time. Can't wait to see you start on the quarters and wheel houses.

 

[DetMatt1]

Excellent work! I think you're a natural.

 

[gdrill]

Thanx guys. I appreciate the comments. It's very motivating to see the before and after. I just figure if someone can do it, I can too. I am learning the taking my time and fitting the pieces over and over really helps to get them correct. Well correct enough anyway!

 

[DetMatt1]

I'm serious, not everybody can do that. You've got good hand to eye coordination and can think in three dimensions.

 

[gdrill]

The point of no return. I am actually quite happy with this one.

 

[gdrill]

Yeah! :icon_mrgreen: I couldn't get all the pick marks out from the previous repair, but I got them very close. And of course I had to set it on the shell just for fun.

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